Lookout Linkage, 12/30/14

Hello everyone! This marks the last edition of Lookout Linkage for 2014. Hope everyone's had a good year so far. Here's a little bit of recent news:

• Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times touches on a few Mariners-related rumors, including those surrounding Seth Smith and Ben Zobrist.
• Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times wonders if the Mariners are spending enough money on player payroll compared to their competition.
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs dissects the 2015 team projections for each club in the American League (and if you're interested, here's the link for the NL).
• No matter how patient a hitter might be, other above-average skills are necessary for success, argues Fangraphs' Eno Sarris.
• Rumor has it that a Phillies-Reds deal for outfielder Marlon Byrd fell apart in the final stages of completion.
• Grant Brisbee submits his fake MLB Hall of Fame ballot.
• The Padres have acquired reliever Shawn Kelley (Mariner in 2009-2012) from the Yankees.